HOW TO FIND YOUR POW/MIA
I have to thank my hubby for helping me on this...without his help, I'd still be lost!!(In more ways than one)
OK..if you are ready..hear we go.
The first thing you need to do is open a new browser and get to this web address: Make A Map. Right click on this address and open in a new window.
Next, bring up your notepad utility and the calculator utility because you are going to need both of them.
Now, copy and paste your Hero's loss coordinates into the Notepad. For this demonstration, I'm going to use my Hero's numbers which are: 162700N 1065200E (YD003191) Michael.
These numbers are actully in degrees, hours and minutes. Take your numbers and separate them like this:
16 27 00N and 106 52 00E
You need your numbers set up like this to make it easier to do the calculations. Do one set of numbers at a time!!
The formula to translate your numbers to input into the page you opened up...the Make A Map page is:
decimal degrees = degrees + (minutes/60.0) + (seconds/3600.0)
Meaning:
Degrees are the first number in each set of numbers. Michael's decimal degrees are 16 and 106.
minutes/60.0):
Take the second number...in my case, 27 and 52. ONE NUMBER AT A TIME!!! 27 divided by 60.
(seconds/3600.0):
Take that third number, in my case, 00 and 00 and divide by 3600.0.
For Michael's first set of numbers...
decimal degrees = 16 + 27 divided by 60 + 00 divided by 3600.0.
For Michael's second set of numbers...
decimal degrees = 106 + 52 divided by 60 + 00 divided by 3600.0
You should now have a number similar to what I get with Michael's numbers: 16.45N 106.86E
Now..let's go to the map page...
The First Section: Map Boundaries
You see the section with four boxes labeled North, South, East and West. Go back to your original set of numbers. Look at the first number in each set...Michael's are 16 and 106. The 16 is the North and South number, the 106 is the East and West number.
You want an area a little bigger than the 16, so input:
North: 18
South: 15
East: 105
West: 108
Remember...your number is going to be different than my example number. Whatever your number is add a couple of degree to it. That will give you a bigger area on your map.
After you enter your numbers for N,S,E and W...
Leave the Map Projection as it is,
Leave Download disabled,
In the OPTIONS area, click 'grid on map'. If you want to see the
national boundaries, click it. If you'd like river references, click on that one, too.
PLOT LOCATIONS
Click on "Plot Some Cities"..this will give you a better point of reference.
Click on "Plot User Defined Locations".
Now..this box is where you input the numbers you came up with after doing your calculations. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Input your second number first, your first number second and then add a label. For example:
16.45N 106.86E are Michael's new numbers. For the box I input them like this:
106.86, 16.45, Michael Paul Burns
Make sure you put a comma and a space between each.
Click on Annotate Locations under the box area..then click Create Map.
It's going to take a few moments to generate your map. You'll be given a chance to zoom in and zoom out of the map, as well. If you want to save this map, just right click and save the way you normally save stuff from the web.
COPYRIGHT STUFF:
I don't know what the copyright restrictions are to using this map on a webpage. Poke around the site to see if they say anything like this. I'd use caution, though...just to be on the safe side.
I realize that this might be hard to follow...I tried to be as clear as possible. If you have suggestions for making this page a little clearer or more understandable, let me know.
Also, if you have problems, let me know that too. I'll try to help you out as best as I can.
Contact me: jenich@earthlink.net
I wish you the BEST of luck!!!
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